Hepatitis A clinic held at Lincoln preschool

Pupils, their families, and staff from the
Lincoln University Early Childhood Centre were provided with
a hepatitis A vaccine today (Friday) to reduce the potential
for the virus to spread.

Dr Ramon Pink, Canterbury
Medical Officer of Health, says the vaccination was provided
after a child from the preschool was diagnosed with
hepatitis A. Both of the child’s parents have also been
diagnosed with hepatitis A.

There is no known connection
between these three cases and the current outbreak of
Hepatitis A in Ashburton. In Ashburton there have been 22
confirmed cases over the past three months.

“Hepatitis A
is transmitted when people don’t wash their hands properly
after going to the toilet, and good hand hygiene,
particularly thorough hand washing, is key in preventing its
spread,” says Dr Pink.

“Preschools can be a high risk
environment for the spread of hepatitis A, particularly
where there is nappy changing.”

One and twenty six
hepatitis A vaccinations were provided at the preschool
today. Sixty eight adults and fifty eight children were
vaccinated.

Dr Pink says that he is very pleased with
today’s turnout, and has thanked the preschool and the
parents involved for fully supporting the vaccination
programme.

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the
Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.

We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.

At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.

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